AP Biology Review Questions 2023-4 by Dr Chan

Flashcards based on comprehensive AP Biology review notes covering key concepts in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, and ecology.

What are three physical/chemical properties of water that are essential for life?

Cohesion, adhesion, and high specific heat capacity; these properties help with processes like transpiration, temperature regulation, and nutrient transport.

What defines a polar molecule?

A polar molecule contains atoms like oxygen and nitrogen, exhibiting partial positive and negative charges due to uneven electron distribution.

What are the four major classes of biomolecules?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What is a monomer and a polymer? Provide an example of each.

A monomer is a small molecular unit (e.g., glucose), while a polymer is a large molecule made of many monomers (e.g., starch).

What reaction forms bonds between monomers?

Dehydration synthesis (or condensation) forms bonds between monomers, producing water.

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in cellular respiration?

Glucose is the main energy source for cellular respiration, undergoing glycolysis to produce ATP.

How do lipids function in cell membranes?

Lipids are key components of cell membranes, forming a phospholipid bilayer that acts as a barrier and maintains membrane fluidity.

What is the function of enzymes? Provide an example.

Enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions; for instance, amylase breaks down starch into sugars.

What is the Central Dogma of molecular biology?

The Central Dogma describes the flow of genetic information as DNA -> RNA -> Protein.

What is genetic drift and how can it influence evolution?

Genetic drift is the change in allele frequencies due to random sampling effects, impacting small populations and potentially leading to significant evolutionary changes.

What is the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium formula?

p² + 2pq + q² = 1, where p and q are the frequencies of dominant and recessive alleles, respectively.

What is photorespiration and under what conditions does it occur?

Photorespiration occurs when the enzyme RuBisCO fixes oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, often in hot and dry conditions.

Define mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism in ecological interactions.

Mutualism (+/+) benefits both species; commensalism (+/0) benefits one without affecting the other; parasitism (+/-) benefits one at the expense of the other.